Category Archives: China

There is only one nation in the Middle East in possession of an atomic bomb and it’s name is not Iran. Israel has an atomic bomb, Israel refuses to allow UN inspectors into their facilities, Israel refuses to adhere to any international treaties pertaining to use of atomic weapons, and Israel is adamant that Iran must allow UN inspectors into their nuclear facilities. The government of Iran has agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) to enter long-unseen nuclear sites -the key Gchine uranimum mine and a heavy-water reactor in Arak.

Talks have broken down between Iran and the six world powers. France wants the Arak reactor to completely shut down. The IAEA insists:”it is forseen that Iran’s cooperation will include providing the IAEA with timely information about its nuclear facilities.” I wonder if a similar request should be made to Israel?

Once again, an offer from Iran to proceed along a path of peace has been rejected by western nations. In 2001,then President Khatami cooperated with American forces in Afghanistan and offered to resolve the conflict with the United States only to be termed by President George Bush as a partner in an “evil axis” of powers like North Korea. This weekend, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius refused to go along with other nations in agreeing with Iran on a process of working toward peace. France demanded that Iran must suspend the Arak heavy water reactor while negotiations proceed. He refused to go along with the Iranian “con game.” British Foreign minister William Hague urged a different approach. “We came to seize the moment and seize the opportunity to reach a deal.” So, do it.

Nothing in diplomacy is perfect. A conflict may not be resolved in one act. Iran was proceeding along a path of POSSIBLE success. There was need to allow this path to be followed. If Iran broke their word, it was fairly easy to resume hate and violence.

Every so often one is left in a state of bewilderment at the escapades of Muslim fanatics. A group of mountain climbers were working their way up Mt. Nanga parbat in nothern Pakistan when a group of Islamic militants entered their camp and blasted away until nine men from China and the Ukraine were dead. These individuals were not linked in any way, shape or form with “the West” and had absolutely no connection to the CIA unless there was interest in Washington about mountains in Pakistan. The Islamists simply shot up some people and made certain few would ever visit Pakistan in order to enjoy a mountain climbing vacation.

There must be a reason for this attack. Then again, when reason and logic are involved it is difficult encountering this aspect of human thinking among those connected with the Taliban, with al-Qaeda or any group that has goals connected to human life.

Leaders of the two most important nations of the world held a pleasant conversation in a pleasant location where they could enjoy sun and good meals. Xi Jinping, head of China discussed with President Obama his concerns about cyber-espionage which is of great concern to the United States. Of course, as President Obma rants and raves against cyber war, his government is engaged twenty four hours a day and night in this activity. Obama was pleased to announce “that the Chinese leadership understand clearly the importance of this issue to the United States.” I think the American people would like its president to understand how they feel about the importance of this issue.

The good news is an agreeement by both leaders to address the issue of global change. Both nations are major polluters and it is necessary for the two most influential impacts on this planet to deal with this issue as soon as possible. China also made clear its opposition to nuclear efforts by the little pudgy boy in North Korea, Kim Jong-un.

Oh, the Chinese did not sleep in the house offered by Obama. They preferred a hotel in order to avoid having their thoughts learned by our cyber police.

Among the more difficult concepts for gun lovers in America to understand is that terrorists use guns. Honest, bad guys use guns and other such weapons and they can even walk into a gun store and purchase guns to their desire. More than 65 countries have signed a trade treaty that is designed to monitor the sale of conventional weapons by manufacturers and prevent their free flow into black market sources or to groups seeking death and destruction. The latest count is that 154 nations voted to support this treaty and three oppose it–Syria,Iran and North Korea. Now, we know the friends of guns in America, there nations who have the same mentality of thinking as does the National Rifle Association.

Naturally,Republican Senator Jerry Moran opposes this treaty since it fails to explicitly recognize the right of individuals to bear arms. “The United States should ratify treaties only when they are in our national interest, clear in their goals and language, respect our sovereignty, and do not create any openings to infringe upon our constitutional freedoms.”

Yes, Joe, we support the right of terorists to kill American soldiers. It is their constitutional right-read the second Amendment!!

The United States of America has to endure the incompetence of Afghanistan’s government and China has to endure the madness of what passes for a government in North Korea. China suddenly switched to a tougher stand against Kim Jong-un’s wild threats to attack South Korea or the United States with missiles. The Chinese government now supports the Security Council actions to impose sanctions on North Korea unless it ceases working on atomic weapons. North Korea’s test of nuclear weapons may not pose a threat to China, but establishment by the US and South Korea of defensive missile systems places these weapons on the border of China

China is caught between the proverbial rock and hard place. It recognizes the need to support North Korea, but continued development of nuclear weapons means missile systems on the border of China which means that China must build missile systems which means that in response to China building missile systems, new missile systems will be developed and so on and so on….

Hardly a day goes by without someone ranting about Muslims and their hatred of the West. The assumption is that those of the Muslim faith have an unrelenting hatred of anything connected to Western societies. During the past few weeks, thousands of Mali people danced in the streets when they discovered French troops had driven out Islamist fanatics. The people of Mali wanted WESTERN troops to free them from MUSLIM TYRANNY. Turkey seeks entry into the European Union so it can secure a taste of Western life including adhering to Western human rights. In the streets of Cairo and Tunis and Damascus, Muslims are fighing Muslims, NOT THE WEST!

Each year about 200,000 students from Asian, African and Middle Eastern nations come to the US or England in search of education. They want Western ideas, they live as Westerners and many think like them. Thousands of these students remain in the US or England or France because this is the life they seek.

The Chinese government is upset at Elton John, not because they dislike songs that emerge from his mouth, but words they find offensive. Elton John told Chinese authorities that his performance in Beijing last November was dedicated “to the spirit and talent of Ai Weiwei” a noted artist who has constantly bothered officials because of his belief in demcocracy. A State run newspaper in December commented on the “disrespectful” attitude of Elton John when he “forcibly added political content to the concert.” The paper insisted that if people in the audience had known politics would be part of the concert “many in the audience would not have come.”

Anyway, the Chinese government has identified a solution to the problem of musicians imposing their political ideas upon the people of this happy land. Culture Minister Cai Wu is considering requiring any foreign artist to possess university degree. Sounds logical to me. I wonder since I am a college professor if I can book a tour in China?

There often arises a need on the part of Chinese officials to warn other nations concerning any infringement on what is considered Chinese territory or a disputed area of Asia that is considered Chinese territory. Senior Colonel Liu Mingfu of the National Defense Ministry sounded a warning to Australia and Japan about taking the side of the Japanese in disputes over the Diaoyu islands. According to this obscure officer, “America is the global tiger and Japan is Asia’s wolf and both are now biting China.” He proceeds to utter nonsense about Japan attacking the US or Australia as it did in 1941′

Reality. China is not going to war over islands. Japan is not going to war over islands. The US is not going to become militarily involved in Asia over islands. There will be statements, warnings, even threats, but in the end, there will be some face saving way out of this dispute.

“Southern Weekend” is a Chinese newspaper that is published under the auspices of the government and thus has been subject to ongoing censorship by a group of men and women who sit around worrying about what can or cannot be written. At a recent meeting of editors of the newspaper and staff members it was decided to end the tyranny of being subject to the whims of censors and allow freedom of information to reign on the newspaper. They were particularly angered when a local provincial official replaced a New Year’s eve editorial which called for political reforms as well as an extension of rights for all citizens.

At the meeting the editors demanded an end to advanced censorship. They accepted the right of government officials to publish guidelines but wanted to cease having a censor decide which specific article could or could not be published. They were joined by hundreds of protesters who joined in demands for an end and a new beginning of freedom in China.